This is a file from the Wikimedia
Commons. Click the pic to see its description page and licensing.

MARINA GIOIOSA IONICA

Overlooking the Southern Ionian coasts of
Calabria, is where one will come across Marina di
Gioiosa Jonica, a seaside resort also offering cultural
visits.

History

It came about during the Roman era by the name of Romechium
and saw a period of splendour at the end of the Roman Empire
(IV century).

Its decline arrived at the beginning of the Saracen raids
which began from the IX century, planting seeds of panic among
the coastal inhabitants of Southern Italy.

For this reason, the centre known as Mystia was founded towards
the interior, but was destroyed by the Saracens in 986.

During the XVI century, having recovered from Turkish seaward
invasions and a Spanish government, they decided to build
new defensive towers which one can still admire today.

The coastal area of Marina di Gioiosa Jonica began to repopulate
at the end of the 800s following complete land reclamation
of the coastal area and the construction of the Jonica Railroad
(1875).

A visit to the City

Marina di Gioiosa Jonica is a seaside tourist centre which
is well equipped and endowed with an evocative seafront and
a beautiful beach bathed by a crystal sea.

The present day centre came about during modern times on the
spot where the Roman centre of Romechium once stood.
Marina di Gioiosa Jonica preserves some interesting cultural
areas dating back to an ancient past, like the Roman Theatre
from the Imperial era, which was discovered in 1906.

The coastal Towers are also interesting and date back to the
era of Saracen raids (IX century) as well as the Turkish ones
(XVI century).

Marina di Gioiosa Jonica offers the possibility of a seaside
holiday full of cultural visits to various internal Medieval
centres and the neighbouring Aspromonte National Park.